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Where have you been lately? Any neat places? One of the reasons I like feet pictures is because I think they are a unique way to document where you've been. I have few feet pictures for you today! The first 3 are from Jessica. Jessica just got back from a whirl wind trip to Seattle, Vancouver, and then down to St. Louis. The last 3 pictures are from my family and a few of the trips they've been on this summer as well.

Click here to see more! and to see where I have received feet pictures from click here.

Holy Hippo! Wow! @ the St. Louis Zoo - I seriously LOVE this one.

Canada/USA boarder @ the Peace Arch

Top of the Space Needle in Seattle

Waiting for Old Faithful to erupt in Yellowstone

Almost touching Coors Field!

Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals

I love these pictures! If you would like to send me a picture or two please do. sorensencorina@gmail.com

Well we have woken up during the 6am hour for the past two days. Jordan is currently working on homework. There are syllabi lying around the house. I'd say all of the signs are there. School must have started. This semester is looking good. I'm taking all major classes. My schedule is a little overwhelming compared to other semesters, just because I am on campus everyday from 8-6, but I guess I can't complain because that's just like having a real job, right? and being a student it currently my job. Well...plus my other job.One of the classes I'm taking this semester is woodworking. I'm starting to think about what to make for my final project. I think I want to make a media console. Here are some examples of what I want to make:

Oh yeah and here is another picture to prove that we actually ran the half marathon (and the one from last year for comparison):The one on the left was this year. Surprisingly, I wore the same shorts in both half marathons I have run. I do have other pairs I promise. Since we looked so dead tired last year we decided to finish with a bang this year and throw our arms up when we finished. We also decided to throw in some peace signs during the run. And I'm so glad they got a picture of us walking. Thanks for that.

It was actually ok that they got that picture of us walking, because this year we decided to run 8 minutes and walk 2. Near the end we were walking a bit longer in between the runs but it made motivating myself so much easier. It was so nice to know that I had a break to look forward to.Well I better work on some homework, and try to be a good student and all of that stuff.

After the temple we picked up our packets for the run and then went to Firehouse Pizzeria for dinner. Thanks to Jessica for the recommendation! It was so good. We even got free FH'zzookie for dessert. Yum!

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and headed to the finish line to board the school buses to be taken to the starting line. I was freezing at the starting line while we waited for the race to start. Once it started though, I sure warmed up. We had a good run. We weren't as diligent with our training this year, but we were still pleased with our results.

After the race, and before we headed out of town we went to Old Grist Mill for lunch and had a delicious sandwich and a huge raspberry cinnamon roll.

One of our favorite date nights consists of running over to the Maverick Gas station near our house, grabbing a Cherry Pepsi with vanilla, renting a redbox, making popcorn and watching a movie. We find this very relaxing and low key and we both enjoy a good movie.

Here are reviews of the last 10 red box movies we have seen.

10. Just Go With It
Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston were in this movie. Basically what it comes down to with this movie is that we didn't like it. Not even a little bit. We turned it off before it was over because the acting was horrible and the plot was probably even worse. I recommend never seeing this movie. It doesn't even deserve a description because it was so stupid. The only reason why we rented this one was because it was a recommendation. However, I don't like Adam Sandler, and I probably never ever will.

9. The Switch
It is kind of interesting that the last two movies one our list both have Jennifer Aniston in them. This movie was a little bit below average. Some parts were kind of funny, but mostly it was just ok. Our favorite line, spoken by the little boy was, "Mom, I think I want to herd cattle."

WHeeeew, glad we got those off our hands...now we get to the good stuff...

8. Megamind
This one was cute and funny. It had the voices of Brad Pitt and Will Ferrell and overall it a great good guy vs. bad guy cartoon. It had some pretty good laughs.

7. The Conspirator
Directed by Robert Redford, and staring Robin Wright and James McAvoy, this true story was interesting, entertaining, and even slightly frustrating. Neither of us learned about this in school so we liked hearing about it and even looked up more information afterward. It's definitely a drama, no action, or comedy, so if you can handle that, it might be worth your time.

6. Get Low
Jordan is a big Bill Murray fan so just seeing that he was in this movie, we had to try it out. We rented this one the same night as Just Go With It, good thing too because we ended up needing a replacement that night. This one is about an old man who has stayed in his house for many years. He hears that a man in town has passed away and gets an idea. He wants to have a living funeral for himself so he can hear what the townspeople have to say about him before he actually goes. We liked this one because it was unusual.

5. Source Code
This fast paced movie staring Jake Gyllenhaal, was interesting because most of the movie took place on a train. I'd say almost 75%. It's kind of like a mystery, which Jordan and I both like, because we lenjoy trying to work out all of the details as the movie is happening. And I'll just note with this one, Jordan totally called it, I don't know how he knew, but he did. Entertaining, heart beating, and confusing, you'll leave wanting to know more.

4. Morning Glory
For some reason we didn't have super high hopes for this one, but it was surprisingly above average. It was about a rundown morning news show that needed some revamping. It was one of those movies where the lead character was set up for failure, but somehow managed to overcome the odds. and I think if I remember correctly it was kind of funny.

These next three I loved!

3. The Tourist
Lots of people we talked to didn't like this one, so we also didn't have very high hopes for it, but once again, it ended up being surprisingly above average. We tried to work out all of the details in this one but neither of us could figure it out and I think that's what made this movie so good. Plus, Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp are a perfect movie couple, don't you think? Its like a Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan kind of fit. They're both dark and mysterious. This movie caught us by surprise and I think that's why we liked it so much.

2. Secretariat
This great movie with Diane Lane and John Malkovich, was probably the perfect car movie. We watched it driving home from Havasupai. I say that because it's only flaw, and I don't know if I can really call it that, is the length. It is a bit long, but every second of it is good. You get so enthralled in the emotion of the races, and attached to this horse. You want Big Red to win.

And last but not least.....

1. Flipped
Madeline Carroll is great in this movie (she's also in Mr. Popper's Penguins which we just recently saw at the dollar theater, and also really liked). This movie is about your typical little boy who moves in across the street from your typical little girl who has a very big crush on said boy. I think one of the reasons why I liked it so much was because I was taking Adolescent Development when we saw it, so I was analyzing every thought. I liked the cute story and how it was so accurate in getting inside of the mind of a boy and girl. Highly recommend.

For our anniversary Jordan and I headed to Park City. We had a great time! On our way up we stopped in Heber to go to Dairy Keen for some fries and delicious shakes. We did some shopping at the outlets, and then headed over to Hotel Park City where we stayed the night. We relaxed a little bit before dinner at Ruth's Chris, where we split the largest steak in the whole world with a huge pile of fries. In the morning we slept in and then headed over to the Alpine Slide. It was a wonderful little getaway!

Jordan gave me a new triple barrel curling iron (since my old one broke), some new cleanser (Purity by Philosophy), and he framed our Wedding announcements and thank you cards (which I have been wanting to do for forever!) and gave them to me. Wonderful gift giver husband, is what he is..

I gave him a cardigan, a new watch, and I painted watercolors of two of our engagement pictures. I gave him those gifts because I read that the traditional (in US and UK) and modern anniversary gifts were Cotton, Paper, and a Clock.

Last year today, I was counting down the days, filled with excitement and anticipation. I was running around, making sure that everything was going to happen according to plan. I was going through the temple for the first time, taking bridal pictures, going to lots of doctor's appointments... But I was trying to stay calm and enjoy the wedding festivities! That seems like SO long ago. I am in no way a marriage professional but I will have been married for one whole year in 4 days. And I think that is an accomplishment. Here are some of the lessons I have learned during my first year of marriage:

1. We're a unit. We are already a family. When we were engaged we were told that when you get married you will be a family, not when you start having kids like people say, you know, "We're thinking about starting a family..." No, we're a family now.

2. Seeing as we are a family now, we need to have each other's best interests at heart. If I take care of him, and he takes care of me, everything will get taken care of.

3. We do things differently and that's OK. For example, I always thought it was interesting that Jordan wanted to do the dishes before dinner. It made more sense to me to do the dishes after dinner so we only have to do them once, but Jordan wanted to do them before dinner so they wouldn't totally pile up, with way too many to do comfortably in one sitting after dinner. Both ways are right. We both have good ideas and neither one is more correct.

4. Jordan and I read a few marriage books before we got married because neither of us felt like we really knew what we were getting into and we wanted as much advice as we could get. In one of the books it said that you need 20 minutes a day of time, talk, and touch. Even though we don't schedule this time or anything like that, I think that we do try to do this. That is, be together with undivided attention, talking about our day, or whatever we feel like we need to/want to talk about. For me it makes me feel important and loved. I like that he will listen to what I have to say, and that I know about what's going on in his life, about his day and his thoughts. When we haven't talked or spent time together, it feels weird. The time (at least 20 minutes) now comes naturally, but I think when we were first married it helped to do this.

5. Anything we need to do is more fun when done together, rather than separate. I think this is especially true now, while we don't have any kids. We like to cook together, clean together, run errands together...etc. I know someday this might have to change but right now, I LOVE IT!

6. Sometimes you have to live life on the fly. Like moving with only 2 days of notice.

7. Family budgeting. The first Monday of the month, we have designated as FHE budget. We review every purchase we made the month before and talk about where we are spending too much money, where we can maybe save a little bit more. We have tried a few different budgeting methods, and have found one that works for us.

8.This one is silly, but it is still a lesson I have learned/am still learning. Sometimes I get frustrated with how long it takes me to get ready, compared to how fast Jordan can get ready. I get frustrated because there are things I want to do around the house that I can't be doing because I'm getting ready. It's ok, if things around the house are dirty for a while. I just can't get frustrated about it because I can do it later.

9. In conjunction with that, I have found that I am a happier person when the house is clean. It is easier to focus on other things if I don't have to worry about huge messes.

10 .We can't both be grumpy at the same time. This is how to save ourselves from fighting; it's as easy as that. If I notice that Jordan is grumpy, I can't be grumpy and vice versa. We need to buoy each other up.

There you have it! A few of the lessons I have learned in my first year of marriage. I have lots more to learn. And I'm excited for the future. And I love Jordan.

1. Jordan and I finished Summer term yesterday. I think we had the most successful finals week ever. We studied and studied and both finished by getting A's on our exams. No better way to finish than that, if you ask me. Now we have 2 weeks and 3 days before school starts for Fall Semester.

2. Last night we had the most delicious hamburgers for dinner. Jordan is the grill master. Our burgers were complete with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, mayonnaise, and onions. We even made shoestring fries too. It was a great meal.

3. Jordan and I have decided to paint our house tomorrow. We are almost done prepping. Everything in our living room is squished in to the middle of the room and all of the walls are bare. I am so excited for a fresh, new, clean look.

4. Funny fact: Since Jordan's brother Devan has been home from his mission I have gone out to eat with him 4 times. All 4 were to pizza places. Pier 49, Slab twice, and Costco. And I don't think pizza is either of our favorite foods. Don't get me wrong, I love pizza but I just though that was funny. And guess what Jordan and I will be having for dinner tonight. Pizza.

5. Eight days until our 1 year anniversary. To celebrate Jordan and I will be spending some time in Park City. We couldn't be more excited. We already have our reservation for one night at Hotel Park City with dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House, and we're trying to decide if we should do the Zip line, the Alpine coaster, or the Alpine slide...or all three. I can't believe that it has already been a whole year. But at the same time it seems like it has been much longer.

6. The other day Jordan's phone rang at 6 in the morning. We both thought it was much earlier and had no clue who would be calling at such an early hour. Jordan answered the phone very confused, but soon realized it was his brother Landan, who is currently a missionary, calling from the Atlanta airport on his way to Honduras. We got to talk to him for about an hour. He sounded great!

7. Dylan and Logan started 7th grade this week. They also got braces the day before school started.

8. I am obsessed with this video. I have watched it about 30 times in the last 2 days.
It makes me want to travel and experience the world. This took 3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38,000 miles, an exploding volcano, and 2 cameras to make. Believe me...it's worth your time, only 1 minute. Watch it.

9. I clued Jordan's brother Devan and Melissa, into a few job openings in my office and they have both recently been hired! It will be nice to have a few familiar faces around the office now.

10. I can't think of anything else to report to the blog-o-sphere. Not even one more thing.